Chapter Eighteen: Shohoku's Potential
A buzzer-beating three from half court!
Though everyone knew the shot carried an element of luck, the crowd still struggled to process what they'd witnessed.
After all, Yagami had already knocked down two threes before that!
Shohoku had finally clawed the deficit down to six points late in the first quarter, only for Yagami to bury three consecutive triples in the final minute, completely demoralizing them.
Too absurd!
Sendoh's eyes widened as he blinked. "Do you even need me in there?"
Not that it mattered much—Sendoh just felt that for a practice game, there was no need to be so serious. Winning was enough. Running up the score too much wouldn't help either team improve.
"OF COURSE YOU'RE GOING IN!"
Both Yagami and Coach Taoka spoke in unison.
"Twelve points is nothing. We need at least a thirty-point margin!" Coach Taoka said mercilessly.
While Yagami didn't have a specific target margin in mind, the bigger the better.
This current Shohoku team, compared to their complete form at the national tournament, probably hadn't even reached half their potential.
Soon, Miyagi Ryota would return to become the offensive playmaking core, and that guy who'd say "Coach, I want to play basketball"—Mitsui Hisashi—would multiply their perimeter firepower exponentially.
Add to that Sakuragi Hanamichi, currently still labeled an "amateur," who in just three months would post an eye-popping stat line of 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks against the dominant Sannoh Industrial featuring Japan's number one center, growing at an inconceivable rate into an X-factor capable of swinging games.
Yagami understood Shohoku's terrifying potential. That's why he wanted to use this practice game to plant the seed of "Ryonan is invincible" deep in their psyche.
"Alright, though putting up a thirty-point lead will take some effort," Sendoh said casually.
Honestly, he didn't care whether he played or not, but Sakuragi Hanamichi and Rukawa Kaede had genuinely piqued his interest.
TWEET!
The two-minute break passed quickly. Both teams returned to the court.
"Ryonan substitution: #7 Sendoh Akira in, #8 Uekusa Tomoyuki out."
Considering Yagami's conditioning, for the second quarter Sendoh would play the three—matching up with Rukawa at small forward.
Ryonan possession.
Yagami brought the ball up.
Kogure's nerves were wound tight. He maintained distance from Yagami while backpedaling. Even Rukawa couldn't contain this guy—naturally he had little confidence.
"Don't be nervous," Yagami said with a warm smile. "Right now I'm just a harmless 'dealer.'"
Kogure didn't respond, maintaining his wary stance. Like hell he'd believe this kid.
Yagami felt disappointed and shifted to surveying the floor.
Uozumi didn't actually hold advantages against Akagi. His strength lay in defense—his offensive touch was too rough for reliable post scoring.
Koshino could shake Shiozaki's defense and find open looks—a solid scoring option—but he needed to watch for help from Sakuragi and Akagi. One was unpredictable, the other experienced.
Similarly, Ikegami should theoretically beat Sakuragi's defense easily and initiate offense, except Sakuragi defied conventional logic.
So Yagami casually lobbed the ball to Sendoh, almost as if he hadn't thought it through.
Though of course, the first shot had to go to the ace!
Sendoh caught it. Rukawa immediately felt the pressure multiply. He didn't mind matching up with the opposing ace, but getting dominated this entire game felt absolutely suffocating!
THUD!
A heavy collision of muscle echoed as Sendoh used his back to pin Rukawa in place.
The instant they made contact, Sendoh knew he couldn't back Rukawa down the way he did Yagami. Though similar in build, Rukawa's core strength proved far more formidable.
"Too bad he's not as clever as Sorato," Sendoh thought, though his actions flowed seamlessly—he used the contact to spin baseline, slashing swiftly toward the basket!
Rukawa didn't lose position, staying glued defensively. Simultaneously, rim protector Akagi rotated over, forming a trap.
Sendoh's driving lane instantly sealed—
BANG!
A precise bounce pass threaded through the defense into the hands of the unguarded Uozumi.
Uozumi caught it and roared, exploding upward for a two-handed power dunk!
"WATCH YOUR BACK!"
SMACK!
Sakuragi came from behind, his palm crashing down on Uozumi's hand. The crisp sound reverberated through the gym as the ball got swatted away!
TWEET!
Shooting foul on Sakuragi. Uozumi earned two free throws.
"So fast!"
From his vantage at the top of the key, Yagami saw it clearly. The instant Uozumi gathered to elevate, Sakuragi—who'd been two steps away—appeared behind him in a flash.
"That vertical... it's ridiculous."
Uozumi's hand glowed red from the contact. He glared at Sakuragi, though the culprit seemed completely unbothered.
Uozumi missed both free throws. Shohoku ball.
"Nice job, Sakuragi," Kogure quietly praised.
"UOZUMI! AFTER THE PRACTICE GAME, ONE HUNDRED EXTRA FREE THROWS!" Coach Taoka roared from the sideline.
"YES SIR!" Uozumi felt thoroughly embarrassed.
Kogure advanced with the ball. With Yagami now defending him, pressure multiplied—several attempted strips nearly forced turnovers.
Barely past half court, he fed Rukawa. Honestly, he had no other options.
After multiple dribbles, Rukawa attacked Sendoh's left side.
Uozumi rotated to help. Trapped by two defenders, Rukawa lofted it high.
CLANG!
The ball kissed off the rim and dropped through.
Floater good!
Ryonan 30 - 20 Shohoku
"Nice shot, Rukawa!" Kogure praised each player equally.
"Damn fox showing off again," Sakuragi muttered resentfully.
Possession changed. The instant Yagami caught the inbound, Kogure and Rukawa both pressured.
"Full-court press at this point?" Yagami's mind sharpened. "Definitely Coach Anzai's call."
He understood the tactic's intent perfectly—through high-intensity pressure, steals, and disruption, completely wreck the opponent's offensive rhythm, force mistakes and rushed shots, creating fast-break opportunities.
Usually employed in final moments when scores were tight or during desperate comeback attempts, it heavily taxed players' stamina and contained a fatal weakness—
Yagami quickly suppressed those thoughts, forcing himself to stay calm. Under the double team, he spotted the open Sendoh and fired a precise pass.
"WATCH OUT! IT'S NOT JUST TWO!"
Sakuragi suddenly exploded from the wing. His shocking burst manifested at full force, swatting the ball away before Sendoh could receive it.
The basketball ricocheted wildly toward the baseline, bouncing out of bounds.
Without hesitation, Sakuragi dove again, with total disregard for injury, desperately batting the ball back inbounds!
Kogure secured the scrambling recovery, but before he could set his feet, Yagami materialized in front of him like a shadow.
However, up court, one player had already positioned himself, completely unmarked!
Rukawa caught Kogure's pass, bent his knees, and rose with perfect rhythm.
SWISH!
Nothing but net from three-point range!
Ryonan 30 - 23 Shohoku
Early in the second quarter, despite Sendoh entering the game, Shohoku had actually cut the deficit below ten!
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